(CNN) –The Islamic scholar who issued a powerful fatwa, or religious ruling, against terrorism and suicide bombers said Thursday that he was not afraid of reprisals from his enemies and did not fear for his life.

"I am not afraid of any human being on the surface of Earth," Sheikh Muhammad Tahir ul-Qadri told CNN's Christiane Amanpour.

"I am working ... to bridge up the Muslim world and the Western world, to remove the hatreds, to remove all misunderstandings."

"So this is a good cause. I am not afraid of anybody. It depends upon whatever my Lord wants. If I have to live, I will live. Otherwise, I am not afraid."

Ul-Qadri was speaking to CNN just over a week after he issued a 600-page fatwa in London denouncing terrorists as "the biggest enemies of Islam."

In his fatwa, ul-Qadri also said suicide bombers are destined for hell and strongly criticized Islamic extremists who cite Islam to justify violence.

"Terrorism and violence cannot be considered to be permissible in Islam on the basis of any excuse," he said.

"Any good intention or any mistake of foreign policy of any country or any pretext cannot legalize the act of terrorism."

Ul-Qadri told Amanpour he does not believe his message will reach the small number of radicals who have already been brainwashed. But he said hundreds of thousands of youths who are on the path, or have the potential to be radicalized, will listen to his fatwa.

Amanpour on Thursday also spoke to a Palestinian lawyer and an Israeli author whose lives are linked by tragedy and who are also trying to spread a message of peace. It was their first joint international television interview.

The Palestinian, Elias Khoury, lost his 20-year-old son, George, six years ago when he was killed by an Arab gunman who mistook him for a Jew. Khoury's father was also killed in a Palestinian attack, in 1975.

To honor his son, Khoury commissioned an Arabic translation of one of Israel's most famous novels, "A Tale of Love and Darkness," written by prize-winning author Amos Oz.

"I was deeply moved by Mr. Khoury's generous proposal to translate (the book) into Arabic at his expense," Oz said. "And I thought it's a very powerful way to commemorate George Khoury, the slain son."

" 'A Tale of Love and Darkness' can open many hearts in the Arab world and can remove many prevailing stereotypes," he added.

Oz explained the book is about the 1940s in Jewish Palestine and the 1950s in early Israel.

"It renders the story of the Jews in a non-heroic way and in a way that is always attentive to the Palestinian plight and to the Palestinian perspective."

He said he believes any Arab who reads his book will find it more difficult to hate the Jews than before.

Khoury told Amanpour it is vital to know the other side, in order to build bridges between the two nations.

He said he was impressed by the story of Israel. "Their feeling of belonging to the group, to the Jewish nation, and the way they were ready to sacrifice."

"I want my people to see how we can do that, how they were well-organized, and how the institutions did work at that time, and how it came to the final step, when the state of Israel was born."

Oz predicted that one day there will be a Palestinian embassy in Israel and an Israeli embassy in Palestine - within walking distance of each other in a shared capital, Jerusalem.

It is a prediction that few believe will become a reality any time soon, despite U.S. efforts to kickstart indirect talks between Israelis and Palestinians.

In a sign of how difficult the peace process is, the Israeli government this week approved the construction of another 1,600 homes on disputed land in Jerusalem.

The Israeli government apologized for the timing of the announcement, which came as U.S. Vice President Joe Biden was visiting Israel and the West Bank in a bid to broker new peace talks.

soundoff(63 Responses)

Barone

Dear Christiane,

l have posted the March 11th, 2010 2129 GMT;;but it was not posted; l also posted other comments on son of Hamas, but unfortunately it has developed into an insult tossing-@-god&religion-blog by one of your approved bloggers.

Everytime l responded; All l got was:-
"Your comment is awaiting moderation". including this one below:-

l hope you are not also acting as your own blog censorship board..So
either we express our thoughts freely or we become hypocrites; do we have any other choice??

It is my belief, that most true muslims who have basic knowledge of Islam, Quraan&Hadiths must know, that killing of any innocent being, is haraam!! It even includes game-hunting which is also forbidden.....

The only justification or consideration for suicide mission of any kind, must be very carefully calculated not to include any innocent person.

ln this context l can only use the occupation of Palestinian, Afghani & Iraqi examples as excuses for suicide missions, is when desparate freedom fighters have no other options against a foreign invading and mightier army. Thus These missions must be limited & only justified& directed only@invading military-active personel, camps&installations.

Anyone who kills innocent bystanders or civilians is a murderer.....

lf occupation of any land by foreign troops occurs, l wish that all future missions will not include any civilian casualities. Unfortunately, the only way to stop these missions is to end occupation & injustice.

l sincerely wish these fatwas will help to bring awareness among the muslims on the consequences of their actions, and to think 100times before they take their own lives in vain; or inflict harm,bloodshed,pain or kill innocent bystanders.

Terrorism&suicide has never been a solution to any crisis nor conflict.
Nor has "shock & awe" or "target-ass-ass-inations" by air or drones!!

In all CNN news and interviews you describe east Jerusalem
as disputed area,despite its known for the whole world and by UN resolution that its occupied territories by war on 1967.
it is biased and misleading to the public.

Weldone sheikh, jazakallahu khairan for making people most especially non muslims understand the fact that terrorism nd extremism has nothing to do with the lslamic religion but a personal thing, those involved can only explain why they do it but not for lslam per say.

Amanpour !!.If I love my mother the way I like you,then she just have to thank God only.
Christiane,I thank God for knowing who you are now.
DR. MUHAMMAD T. UL-QADRI said to you that "he does not believe his message will reach the small number of radicals and extremists who have already been brain-washed".With respect to the Grand Qadi, I had the opportunity to listen to both Amanpour and Ul-Qadri today friday the 12 march,but my problem is that, I don't accept any cleverly invented stories, by product of a philosophical genius,from mere mordern philosophical opinions. Especially in such a matter that concerns the salvation of man's soul ." the radicals and extremists are brain-washed, by who and by what ideological orientation ?
Christiane !,listen to this,there can be no substitute for adequate knowledge of the Koran,Hadith or sunna of the prophet ,history,and if possible linguistics and back again to the Koran, in otherwords,if he wants his message not only to reach the small number of radicals, he called them,but to the whole world at large. It is important that he stress more about what is said by the God of the religion as well as its prophet to the radicals and extremists and to the world at large. Islam,is not from the western historians,but from the Koran,and Islamic traditions called the Hadith.
If the Holy Qur'an sura 47 vs 4 & 7 command all muslims by Allah to BEHEAD any one who does not accept the teachings of Islam,and according to the verses they will be helping Allah by so doing ,and sura 2 vs 190-191 and several others command "true muslims"to fight those who do not believe them and "slay them wherever you catch them"
Now the question is (who is a true muslim ?" as stated above by the Koran ?.And the Koran itself claims in many verses that it actually came from Allah,through the Angel Gabriel( see these verses of the koran(cf.S.2 :97 ;S.3: 3,S.4: 105). So the true muslim is one who is doing the will of the Koran, as far as the Koran came from Allah, you are not an extremist, if you do what he asks you to do.true or false ?
But on the contrary, far from the truth,as far as you are saying something outside of the provision of the Koran of Allah,to bridge up the muslim world and the western world so that ,to remove all misunderstandings, you are the Islamic extremist and radical citing Islam to justify lack of violence. All these questions must be answered from the koran itself,and the Hadith sunna of the prophet Mohammed (S.A.A.) Does the koran say so ? Does the Hadith say so ?.and not from a product of philosophical genius and or a mere mordern philosophical opinions.
The seriousness of this issue may demand outright candour. It is perhaps time we dug up some bare bone facts to settle it somewhere, someday and some how,for bits of half truths can be dangerous.Because a lie that is engineered by the devil can not be easily defeated by hazy and vague ideas,in such a matter that concerns the salvation of man's soul as this .

MOODY MOODY,
So that is your understanding on the East Jerusalem disputed Area,apart from the 1967 war record ?.
You have no other sources of History book to read with patience and understanding about East Jerusalem ?. May your eyes of understanding be enlightened and opened that you may see the wonders and other facts on East Jerusalem,other than 1967 war record.

ELIAS KHOURY and AMOS OZ are the only best human beings with conscience, in all of the Arabs and muslim world. You will never die ,you will surely live to give testimonies to your grand ,grand children.You will ever remain blessed ,until the coming of the mesia.

ms. amapour i respect you soo much on your work to bring to americans/world the real issues from both sides in the muslim,islamic & jewish worlds.. they seem so distant to us mid steam americans but their issues affect us profoundly. i just saw both your interview ( Sheikh Muhammad Tahir ul-Qadri ) and the Isreal author & palestinian who lost his son & father to the trouble..i support them both so much.. how can we start a grass roots efort to continue this david vs goliath attemo to bring understanfing to this issue and hopefully peace... i am irsih american and hace seen the troubels in ireland & realized hate is not the anser -it perpetuates the darkness with no chance at resolution..it closes doors not opens them... peace can come to your land ..it is difficlut- it takes as much courage as a warrior has to fight for their casue but its a differnt non-viloent fight.., it takes more courage & the process has many enemis but reporting like yours( you deserve the peace price) and honest men & woman that are brave to speak up will show us that path to peace..americans must embarce your reporting & the people(on all sides you speak with) lets have a chacne at peace in our lifetimes inthe middle east – it can be done..we are the only ones that can perpetuate the view that jews & muslims cannot ever get along .it is a prophacy of hate..peace to all.

The leadership in Israel needs to review their stand and think about how to create a peaceful and lasting solution to this problem by recognizing a sovereign state of Palestine. Do you think that someone who is not educated, has no means of livelihood will be able to reason well? The solutions lie in sitting round the table, give and take, respect and understanding. Israeli society has to give up its privileges for the enormous benefit that they get for being a security superpower. Another opportunity is opened now Israel should avoid any actions that will jeopardize the indirect talk with Palestine. The world is tired on Israeli/Palestinian war, if the Israel and Palestine issue is settled it is sure you that there will be peace in the world.

We all have to support Sheikh Muhammad Tahir ul-Qadri and ensure that this message of peace spread all over the world and also to encourage those benefitting from oppressing others to desist from the act.

I will advise Yakubu Magaji read the chapters he quoted well. Qur'an chapter 2 verse 255 "Let there be no complusion in religion: Truth stand out from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks and Allah heareth and knoweth all things"
This is era of peace, peace and peace and stop issues that can led to provocation.

Yakubu Magaji is very right in his comments. But I was taught that Quran cannot be interpreted by reading individual verses. You have to understand the whole context. In those days, muslims were a minority and a persecuted minority. Those against islam were declared and sworn enemies who resorted to all kinds of violence including outright war to stop the muslims. And then there were (and still are) the munafiqs who were intriguers and spies. Now we can try to interpret these verses. As you know it is the Quran which says that killing of one person is equivalent to killing of the whole humanity and saving one person from being killed is equivalent to saving the whole humanity. All this of course well known. There are more scholars of quran nowadays than of any other subject. Unfortunately, not all of them are true muslims and most of them have some hidden agenda of their own. Suffice it to say that Mr. Qadri is one of them. But we do not need fatwas to denounce terrorism but clear and correct explanations from the quran and hadiths.

Mr. Magaji, I dont think our problems can be solved by qouting the Quran out of context. You mean muslims are fools by following the religion that says kill or behead unbelievers whenever you find them. Even during thie time of prophet Mohammad pbuh there were people that did not believe in islam and lived in harmony based on mutual repect. Allah only command you to defend yourself against those that oppress you. So please stop misleading others. For terrorism I dont support it. God does not say we should shed the blood of innocent people. You should also understand that the crises we are expressing all over the world are more political & economical than religious. Let stop oppressing ourselves, there will be peace.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the two interviews you had today. It shows there are positive things going on in this world too – and not everyone hates their neighbors – and maybe there's hope for us. We get a steady stream of all the sensational negative happenings and we get discouraged thinking nothing can be done. But if we also have a steady stream of evidence that people are trying to make it a better world through cooperation – I think it might just work! Please keep trying!!

As a Muslim, i find it highly offensive that you would bring some so called scholar onto your program to misled the ignorant about islam and jihad. Jihad is a part of islam and according to an authentic hadith the Prophet(saw) said that it will continue until the day of judgement. I dont know what this man believes since there is only one islam and those who reject any part of it are no longer considered a muslim. There will be no peace as long as there is soo much injustice in the world.

I am a Zionist and an active member of Americans for Peace Now. I have Palestinian friends who stay with me when they visit New York, and I am feted by them when I'm in Israel. And, we argue like crazy. But there is respect. So, I speak as one who is heartbroken by what I believe is an Israeli policy bound by the chains of religious zeal and fanaticism. My hope is that Barak Obama will privately notify Netanyahu that a clock is ticking on US recognition of a Palestinian state. The undetermined boundaries and future of a mutually administered, unified, bi-national capital of Jerusalem can be decided afterwards through direct negotiation between two sovereign states.
Let it be a private warning. Then, I believe, the rightwing will embrace true compromise.

Sheikh Muhammad Tahir ul-Qadri is a intelligent and brave man. I hope everyone prays for his survival. We need more clerics, especially those in Muslim countries, to get on board and preach the truth about Islam. Islam is not a terrorist organization. The terrorist a pure criminals, using religion to kill innocent people. All Muslims should be actively engaged in fighting these criminals. Only the moderate Muslims can put a stop to this terror and help to teach the non-Muslims that their religion is a peaceful one. My mother was born in Baghdad. We are Christians, but have many family members that have converted to Islam. They are still family and always will be.

A refreshing clip and it is pleasure to listen to a learned Muslim theologian who believes in peace and is against terror of any forms. This raises our hopes that Islam is a religion of peace and not of hate as is so often portrayed by many countries of the world. It is sad that Islam is exploited by extremists who are responsible for many terrorist acts.

It is hopesd that his sane voice of reason will reach many parts of the world including areas where so much blood has been spilled because of Islamic extremism which is such a deviant of Islam's true message of peace.

Ms Amanpour,
1. Why didn't you ask the sheikh to state whether he forbids violence against Israelis in his fatwa? 2. You did not state that Elias Khoury is a Christian. That fact is significant in the Middle East. 3. As for Amos Oz's condemnation of settlements, the fact is that the Arab side regards all of Israel as a Jewish settlement and views all of Israel as occupied territory down to the last grains of sand on the beach in Tel Aviv. Why didn't Oz condemn the Arab side for its continual refusal to unequivocally accept Israel's right to exist? Why didn't Oz condemn the Arab side for maintaining its demand for the "right of return" of millions of Palestinian refugees and their descendants - something that would demographically destroy Israel as a Jewish state? Why didn't Oz condemn the Arab side for continuing to spew sewers of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic incitement? During the Cold War there were thousands of cultural and sports exchanges between the Soviet Union and the West as confidence-building moves? Why didn't Oz condemn the Arab side, including Egypt and Jordan with which Israel has supposed "peace treaties," for continually blocking such exchanges?

Christiane, I have come to the conclusion that the peace process is a charade. My conclusion is based on the revelations of Major General Ion Pacepa, the highest ranking defector from the Soviet bloc during the Cold War. See his book: Red Horizons.
According to Pacepa, the Soviet disinformation masters created a fictional "Palestinian People" in 1964 to disguise the continuing religious jihad against the Jews in Palestine, that had been going on since the 1920s, as secular nationalism with a quest for political self determination. The term "Palestinian People" first appeared in the Preamble of the PLO Charter drafted in Moscow in 1964 when the Soviet Union was in the business of creating "liberation organizations". It was affirmed by the first 422 members of the Palestinian National Council, each hand picked by the KGB. Pacepa's facts were corroborated by Zahir Muhsein, a Member of the PLO Executive Board who, in an interview by the Dutch Newspaper Trouw in 1977 admitted that the "Palestinian People" is a fiction, created to be used as a political ploy, and that so far as a quest for political self determination, just as soon as they had wiped out all the Jews, they would transfer sovereignty to Jordan.
When Carter came into office, Brezhnev got Arafat to PRETEND to renounce violence and seek peace negotiations. Ceausescu, Pacepa's boss warned Arafat he would have to pretend over and over again. Arafat's reluctance was overcome by Brezhnev's promising him that if he did, the West would shower him with gold and glory. It did. Billions and a Nobel prize. Abbas is still pretending. I am surprised that Pacepa's revelations received so little space in the main stream media.

Christiane, as much as I like and admire you, I think I would admire you more if instead of left wingers to support the Israeli side of balanced programs, you used some right wingers in your programs as the left wing Israelis invariably side with the Arabs against the Zionists..

this is a brave step towards the peace process specially the situation we are facing as a Muslim and it helps a lot to the whole world to understand the true Islam.in the last i must say that in the intro correction required in the first line of the blog (Today we speak with Dr. Tahir ul-Qadri who has issued a 600-page fatwa against jihad) this is not against jihad but against terrorism.

I've been a student of Dr. Qadri and he is always very thorough of all the things he writes. He is an author of more than 400 comprehensive books on varoius topics related to Islam. He is the man who could bridge gap between east and west by peaceful means.

The Imam who issued a Fatwa against terrorism is a brave and unusual man quite different from the overwhelming majority of muslims who regard other religions and especially jews as their natural enemies.
One hears much from arabs about occupied Palastine, but what is occupied Palastine?
Most of the world thinks it is the west bank, but talk to a palasinian and he sais it is Haifa, Tel Aviv in fact it is the whole of Israel!
The question then follows can there ever be peace in the middle east? The answere is as long as all muslims think like the Iran president it is impossible.

I am disappointed with Ms Amanpour.
In her Sunday’s program about the Palestine Israeli conflict March 14 2010, it was evident that she was trying her best to avoid uttering the word “Palestine”. What made her position even clearer is that she called the illegal Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem “Domiciles”.
Christiane, these illegal structures are called settlements and not domiciles. We have expected an impartial reporting from someone with your status. At least now we all know which side you are on..

Islam didn’t allow Muslims to make their own rules of war. we should follow our islamic rules of jhaad.and know its reality in the light of Quran and sunnah and classical Islamic athouroties.thats has been done by dr Tahir ul qadri.its didnt mean to unarmed ur forces and its also dosen't mean to armed himself with out any permition of classic athourities.its the real theeme of tahat fatwa.to know the human values in islam.reality of jihaad concept.

As in Muslims Some one finally arrived who understands Islam and knows how to implement it

The great Person Dr. Tahir Ul Qadri is one Among Muslim Scholars who is Always ahead and tried to convey the messege of islam to whole world.
No one is Like Tahir Ul Qadri in Whole Muslim Ummah the perfect Islamic Scholar to follow

The person who declared fatwa is awsome....He is considered as an authority in Islam which is accepted around the globe...
CNN channal is a honourable for taking interview from this personality...
i would like to thank CNN whole team....for taking this action...and broadcasting it live..................

I hope my fellow muslims are listening to him. killing others will not solve the issues the hard liners are against. Allah did not ordain killing others so as to have access to Heaven. Positive like minded Muslims should join the Sheikh. Islam is PEACE and ALLAH is GREAT. Thank you Christiane. I have watched the programme more than twice.

Dr.Tahir-ul-Qadri is a World Peace Maker -Spreading theTrue Messarge of Islam The Solution for Humanity .He is really a great asset for Whole world.May Allah give him long life to serve humanity & Islam.He is true fallower of Prophet Muhammad PBUH. his peacefull work for interfaith dialogue is awesome .

Sheikh ul islam is a great man great leader great scholar & a great muslim..... he shows the true face of islam....
Sheikh ur fatwa is one of the great achivement & u done great work...
we love u shiekh & we appericiate ur work for MUSLIM UMAAH

chrisianne,
I have no comment abouit what had been proposed by this Sheikh! I am a true muslim but I don't hate christians or jewish people. I have even a budhist guy as one of my best friends. However, this Sheikh seems to have been paid for such fatwa, and like the palestinian guy who wrote the book "son of hamas", I presume there's a lot of strategy and money behind such novels, books and fatwas!
I hope in all cases that christianne amanpour is was not involved in such manoeuvres aiming at qualifying Islam as a religion of terror by giving some "bad" examples of people who could get rid of the islam terrorism principles!
I don't want this message to be waiting for moderation please!

"One has to live for truth, and die for truth" – [Shaykh ul Islam Tahir ul Qadri] .
He is indeed AMBASSADOR OF PEACE AND LOVE.
We love you our beloved Shaykh,and are so proud of you. Your Fatwa is a great & historical achivement.
May You live long.Ameen

DR TAHIR UL QADRI is a great leader no doubt...he believes in love n peace among muslims n among all nations...inshaALLAH our youth n next generation ll stand side by side with him:)
personally i did'nt see any scholar like him.

Anything islamic is false, evil and twisted. Just how this guy rationalized terrorism is bad, others will rationalize it as good. Killing in the name of this allah fake god is truly twisted evil incarnate and of Satanic origin. It is too easy to kill for muslims. i strongly advice all muslims to leave islam as soon as possible. Fake heavenly rewards is no price for one's soul.

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